THANK YOU for your videos!!! I started teaching PreK Sunday School and it was the hardest thing ever!!!! The kids just never sat still! I just taught for the second time today and it was a little better….your videos are very helpful!
God bless you for sharing so freely with those of us who find ourselves struggling to teach toddlers in the same room with a co-teacher who behaves like a toddler by making everything a competition and an act of war between us. Having good, well-balanced, well-researched advice offered in a warm, inviting, and supportive way really is a God send. I've started spending way too much money in an attempt to create a classroom within a classroom that uses positive approaches rather than bribes (candy, special privileges), fear (threats, mean faces), and absolute control (my way or the highway) to teach the children without bumping heads or stepping on toes with my co-teacher. In such an hostile environment, it is easy to become the "nice teacher" who is seen as out of control whenever "the enforcer" leaves the room and the children take advantage of their freedom by testing the boundaries. Thank you for helping me to find my way to the right path! :)
That persons a narcissist! Record the behavior & Schedule a meeting with the principal to switch the other teacher to another classroom! There’s no other way. She’s not going to change unless she’s under threat of being FIRED.
Thank you so much for all of your inspiring videos! I've been teaching 3 & 4 year olds (special needs) since 2007. Your advice is wonderful and definitely works with my population of kiddos! ❤
Hello, I am a preschool teacher from Italy, and I have the same struggle every day, with the circle time and it seems getting worse and worse every year. I find your advice helpful and I will practice it right tomorrow. Forgive me for my English, I know is not perfect, but I very appreciate your videos. Ciao a tutti!!
I use a mystery bag too. I place an object related to the theme we are learning about or Bible story and let the kids feel it and pass it around. No one can say anything until everyone's had a turn. then we take turns telling each other their guess. It's a great activity that uses their senses and self control and problem solving. They love it.
Just gotta say, I LOVE this channel. It has been an incredibly educational place. You touch on so many of the things that I have questions about already.
I love teaching Pre k with all my heart and soul but circle time is so out of my comfort zone. I don’t know why! Your channel has helped me so much 🥰 thank you!
Love the popsicle sticks. I've been doing something similar for years. I teach mommy and me classes for 0-3 and 3-5. I keep the same finger play for the entire month so that the kiddos can memorize it, since we only meet once a week. I don't use popsicle sticks, though. I use a glove and I laminate my 5 "things" and put a velcro on the back so that it sticks to my glove. i just use any old woven glove and it works great. I let the families know that there are only 5 so please remind me next week and it will be your child's turn. The babies don't know what to do the first week, but by the 3rd week they are reaching or toddling over to get their turn. As I sing the song I walk around the class and hand them out as the song goes. For the preschool level I pause after giving it and say, "5 take away 1 is 4" and so on. Then, at the end, I do the same when gathering them up and taking them back one at a time and say, " 2 plus 1 more is 3" and, by the second week, I begin to pause to see if the kids can say 3, etc. They get very excited to have the answer. In the first week or so, some kids can get upset that they didn't get one. But, as they learn the routine, they know that they WILL eventually get a turn and so they anticipate when it will be their turn and don't have a problem waiting and "sharing" them with others until their turn arises, again. Another great thing that has happened, is that the kids become very attached to them. And, in center time, someone always wants a turn using the glove and the 5 things to do it themselves. I LOVE that! So many skills are being learned in that moment! And, the nice thing about the glove is that they don't need to try to hold all 5 popsicle sticks at the same time because the glove holds it for them. This is also much easier for the babies in the baby classes because it fits better in their little hands, and their is no wood to slobber on and only a laminated piece of paper to clean off, later, lol. The preschoolers have fun "being the teacher" and doing it for their friends. Such a great way to practice so many skills in that one little song/poem. It's my classes favorite part of circle time.
I love your page! Thanks for sharing! I always use a puppet, works every time! And yeah it's like it's an actual person to them! One of my puppet's names is Jose lol! Totally the highlight moment for my students!
I use a Dollar Tree microphone in First Grade even now when kids are in desks instead of carpet. It really does work! But I’ve never though about putting one in a center…thank you!
Thank you Vanessa. I just love your videos! You go straight to the point! And the fact that there's writing makes your videos super effective. What would be your top 3 teacher resolutions? Keep it up.
This circle time presentation is what I needed to listen about it because other co-workers in my classroom refused to follow and now I’m going to have do with good enthusiasm this method. 🙏
I shared your video with a teacher & she tried to make it seem like I was telling her how to teach. I feel like this BC she told the principle smh like how sneaky & shady is that. They said to me they go by guidelines & I cannot share videos. Its so sad that people are negative & toxic. She kept pushing her 15 year experience like she knows everything already. She always has a serious face. I don't want that for my child period.
Hi. Vanessa. Miriam here, ur friend from Argentina. I wanna ask u instead of a puppet, can I use a STUFFED ANIMAL? is it the same? And the mike idea is AWESOME, i definetely put it into practise this March when we start our 2022 school year. Hugs and kisses, Miss Miriam
Hi! I also like to use a puppet to “talk” to the kids. However I do have a student that likes to point out that she can see my hand holding the puppet or see my mouth moving so it’s not really the puppet who is talking. How do I respond in this situation?
Do you let the children keep the popsicle sticks and bring them home? At what part of the circle time that you would like the popsicles are returned to you? If you do 5 x story time with the same book during the week, do you have different picture for the popsicle sticks? Thanks.
No, I don't let them take them home. After we complete the song/rhyme they give the sticks back to me. We sing the same song/rhyme for at least one week, ideally 2. I use different song/rhyme with sticks for each theme.
I have a question: During story time my kiddos love to participate, but can become off track easily. They'll want to comment after every page and discuss things outside the book. What's a great rule or tip to use so I'm not constantly reminding them?
Let your students know before you read what you expect of them during the book. Remind them that you are the strong speaker &they are on zero voice level, unless you have questions & need their help. I also find doing character's voices, adding inflection & animation in while reading helps to engage students.
Circle Time Games pre-kpag.es/CIRCLEGAMES
Circle Time Starter Kit pre-kpag.es/CIRCLETIME
"one up Miss. Melissa," your hilarious. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Glad you enjoyed it!
THANK YOU for your videos!!! I started teaching PreK Sunday School and it was the hardest thing ever!!!! The kids just never sat still! I just taught for the second time today and it was a little better….your videos are very helpful!
I'm so glad the videos are helpful! Keep it up!
God bless you for sharing so freely with those of us who find ourselves struggling to teach toddlers in the same room with a co-teacher who behaves like a toddler by making everything a competition and an act of war between us. Having good, well-balanced, well-researched advice offered in a warm, inviting, and supportive way really is a God send. I've started spending way too much money in an attempt to create a classroom within a classroom that uses positive approaches rather than bribes (candy, special privileges), fear (threats, mean faces), and absolute control (my way or the highway) to teach the children without bumping heads or stepping on toes with my co-teacher. In such an hostile environment, it is easy to become the "nice teacher" who is seen as out of control whenever "the enforcer" leaves the room and the children take advantage of their freedom by testing the boundaries. Thank you for helping me to find my way to the right path! :)
That persons a narcissist! Record the behavior & Schedule a meeting with the principal to switch the other teacher to another classroom! There’s no other way. She’s not going to change unless she’s under threat of being FIRED.
Oh I feel you!
Thank you so much for all of your inspiring videos! I've been teaching 3 & 4 year olds (special needs) since 2007. Your advice is wonderful and definitely works with my population of kiddos! ❤
I'm learning more from your videos than I did in my entire education program! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge!
I know right!? This is what they should teach in ECE classes!
I am going to pick several up as soon as possible
I teach preschool and this sounds like a great idea to work into my circle time !
Hello, I am a preschool teacher from Italy, and I have the same struggle every day, with the circle time and it seems getting worse and worse every year. I find your advice helpful and I will practice it right tomorrow. Forgive me for my English, I know is not perfect, but I very appreciate your videos. Ciao a tutti!!
I use a mystery bag too. I place an object related to the theme we are learning about or Bible story and let the kids feel it and pass it around. No one can say anything until everyone's had a turn. then we take turns telling each other their guess. It's a great activity that uses their senses and self control and problem solving. They love it.
Just gotta say, I LOVE this channel. It has been an incredibly educational place. You touch on so many of the things that I have questions about already.
Thank you, glad you like the content!
Great info on getting the children to get involved with circle time.
I love teaching Pre k with all my heart and soul but circle time is so out of my comfort zone. I don’t know why! Your channel has helped me so much 🥰 thank you!
Great ideas! I use that same toy microphone every day for Weather Time in my online Calendar Time class. 💕
Wow.. this is so simple yet so entertaining for them. I’m gonna start using these tips. As a first year teacher I have been struggling 😭
You got this!
Love the popsicle sticks. I've been doing something similar for years. I teach mommy and me classes for 0-3 and 3-5. I keep the same finger play for the entire month so that the kiddos can memorize it, since we only meet once a week. I don't use popsicle sticks, though. I use a glove and I laminate my 5 "things" and put a velcro on the back so that it sticks to my glove. i just use any old woven glove and it works great. I let the families know that there are only 5 so please remind me next week and it will be your child's turn. The babies don't know what to do the first week, but by the 3rd week they are reaching or toddling over to get their turn. As I sing the song I walk around the class and hand them out as the song goes. For the preschool level I pause after giving it and say, "5 take away 1 is 4" and so on. Then, at the end, I do the same when gathering them up and taking them back one at a time and say, " 2 plus 1 more is 3" and, by the second week, I begin to pause to see if the kids can say 3, etc. They get very excited to have the answer. In the first week or so, some kids can get upset that they didn't get one. But, as they learn the routine, they know that they WILL eventually get a turn and so they anticipate when it will be their turn and don't have a problem waiting and "sharing" them with others until their turn arises, again. Another great thing that has happened, is that the kids become very attached to them. And, in center time, someone always wants a turn using the glove and the 5 things to do it themselves. I LOVE that! So many skills are being learned in that moment! And, the nice thing about the glove is that they don't need to try to hold all 5 popsicle sticks at the same time because the glove holds it for them. This is also much easier for the babies in the baby classes because it fits better in their little hands, and their is no wood to slobber on and only a laminated piece of paper to clean off, later, lol. The preschoolers have fun "being the teacher" and doing it for their friends. Such a great way to practice so many skills in that one little song/poem. It's my classes favorite part of circle time.
I teach a preschool class at our homeschool Co-op. These ideas are so helpful!! Thank you 😊
I love your page! Thanks for sharing! I always use a puppet, works every time! And yeah it's like it's an actual person to them! One of my puppet's names is Jose lol! Totally the highlight moment for my students!
I like the magic butterflies, the microphone and Allie the alligator, thanks for these ideas, I am going to use them in September. Thanks
This will really help me! Thank you! Trying each idea with my 4 year olds.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for sharing, I can’t wait to try thee ideas.
I use a Dollar Tree microphone in First Grade even now when kids are in desks instead of carpet. It really does work! But I’ve never though about putting one in a center…thank you!
My daughter, now 16 still talks about her friend Charlie in pre school... Charlie was a puppet!
Love this buying one this weekend
Well done,superteacher!
Teachers are heroes,you are a great example!❤️
Thank you Vanessa. I just love your videos! You go straight to the point! And the fact that there's writing makes your videos super effective. What would be your top 3 teacher resolutions? Keep it up.
This circle time presentation is what I needed to listen about it because other co-workers in my classroom refused to follow and now I’m going to have do with good enthusiasm this method. 🙏
Jayden being jaded is such a chuckle 😆
Fantastic video! Totally love it! Will try the magic bag tomorrow morning!
Thanks for the idea of the microphone used in circle time..
So adorable. Thank you
You’re welcome 😊
I love the black bag. Great idea 💡 👍
You are so good. I love your tips and will definitely do it with my kids .
Such great ideas to keep their attention!
Girl, you are awesome! Thanks for your many great ideas..
Thank you for being a teacher! Your new look is great! I want to be in your class!
Love the microphone idea!!! My kiddos love using the “teacher pointer”
awwww, you sound like a wonderful teacher
Thanks for inspiring me!
I love all your ideas! Thank you for what you do 💚
Thank you!! I LOVE these ideas ❤
I love all your ideas I enjoyed watching you.
Thank you
your channel has been a godsend oh my gosh thank you for these ideas!
Glad you like them!
This was such an amazing video. I'm about to share this with my staff
Every bit is excellent advice!
Omg! I think I have her in my class 😄!
Thank you ❤
In each video I learn with you thanks ,I am new follower
I guess Ms. Melissa didn't have popcicle sticks. You one up her😆!
😙
This is so good!
Thank you, this is so helpful
Can you please share with us more circle time games please.
That’s so impressive ❤
This was helpful. These are excellent ideas and tips
Glad it was helpful!
I shared your video with a teacher & she tried to make it seem like I was telling her how to teach. I feel like this BC she told the principle smh like how sneaky & shady is that. They said to me they go by guidelines & I cannot share videos. Its so sad that people are negative & toxic. She kept pushing her 15 year experience like she knows everything already. She always has a serious face. I don't want that for my child period.
Thanks for sharing!! So sorry it wasn't well received.
At 17:40, would you allow students to hold onto the items during read aloud or in a special, viewable area?
Thanks for another special video ☺️
I wouldn't pass them out since there aren't enough for every child to hold. They're props for the teacher used for a specific purpose.
I love it thank u!!♥️
Do you give certificates after watching and learning?
We offer certificates of attendance to our Trailblazer students, you can learn more here: teachingtrailblazers.com/
Hi. Vanessa. Miriam here, ur friend from Argentina. I wanna ask u instead of a puppet, can I use a STUFFED ANIMAL? is it the same? And the mike idea is AWESOME, i definetely put it into practise this March when we start our 2022 school year.
Hugs and kisses,
Miss Miriam
Sure, why not? I've seen where people take a stuffed animal and cut a hole in the bottom, then remove the stuffing to create a hand puppet too.
Hi! I also like to use a puppet to “talk” to the kids. However I do have a student that likes to point out that she can see my hand holding the puppet or see my mouth moving so it’s not really the puppet who is talking. How do I respond in this situation?
Do you let the children keep the popsicle sticks and bring them home? At what part of the circle time that you would like the popsicles are returned to you? If you do 5 x story time with the same book during the week, do you have different picture for the popsicle sticks? Thanks.
No, I don't let them take them home. After we complete the song/rhyme they give the sticks back to me. We sing the same song/rhyme for at least one week, ideally 2. I use different song/rhyme with sticks for each theme.
I have a question: During story time my kiddos love to participate, but can become off track easily. They'll want to comment after every page and discuss things outside the book. What's a great rule or tip to use so I'm not constantly reminding them?
Let your students know before you read what you expect of them during the book. Remind them that you are the strong speaker &they are on zero voice level, unless you have questions & need their help. I also find doing character's voices, adding inflection & animation in while reading helps to engage students.
it is an alligator, alligators have u shaped snouts and crocodiles have v shaped snouts
Thanks!
😃😃😃
🌹🦄
I don’t think the pop up quotes of what you’re saying are needed. I find them distracting and it pulls me from the story you’re telling.
Then you might prefer to listen to the podcast. The podcast is audio and does not have the visual or sound effects.
Please tell me that you've changed the children's names before sharing these stories.
of course!
Thank you so much. It's so helpful.
Thank you!